What a studious nation! This week, due to a state holiday on Thursday, the majority of the city takes Friday off as well – no classes! A lot of people take advantage of the “bridge” – a long weekend, to travel out of Sevilla. Next week (when Chelsea will be visiting me and I’m SO excited!!) there is going to be a student strike at the University on Wednesday and Thursday. The students are objecting to too many class hours and too much homework. Each class meets 4 hours a week, and as far as homework? I haven’t been required to buy any readings for my classes, and so far, all I have to do is show up. Perhaps the students from other departments are complaining, or perhaps they are required to take more classes. I’m only taking 3 at the university, after all. Who knows?
As far as my classes go, I’m getting into the swing of them. I’m taking a class at CIEE called the Novel and the Cine, and it looks at a lot of literary techniques used in cinema. I also have been required to take a grammar class at CIEE, and although its at 9 am, which is an ungodly early hour in Spain, its with just the kids from the ‘advanced’ program, who I am friends with. As for my university classes, I’m taking the history of political and social thought, which discusses a lot of philosophy, and I admit, I miss a lot of what goes on. The professor is very wonderful though. He comes to class every day in a tweed blazer and sweater vest, and makes fun of the people who arrive in class late- that is, after him. I’m also taking economy of South America, which is very interesting, but may or may not be based in actual economic truths. My last class is the history of international relations, and we’ve been discussing Napoleon since the class began. I’m not sure if we’re going to make it up to the Cold War, but at least once a week we watch a documentary, so that livens it up a bit. I have friends from my CIEE program in each class, and every day I understand the professors a little better and I’m getting more comfortable.
This weekend CIEE is taking us on a trip to gorgeous Granada, so hopefully there will be news and pictures after that! Also of Chelsea next week! Time is flying!
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